Venetian blind



May 28, 1940. G.c. LAwsoN VENETIAN BLIND Filed Jan. 26, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 :'71 INVENTOR' Ear rm/7 L'. LAW50M May 28, 1940. G. c. LAwsoN 2 2,202,293

VENETIAN BLIND Filed Jan. 26, 1938 *.3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ETTFP/U C. LAWSUN.

May 23 1940- G. c. LAwsoN 2,202,293

VENETIANv BLIND Filed Jan. 26, 1938 3 Sheets-Shes?. 3

INVENTOR GUTTFR/U E. LA w50/V.

BY waz? ATTORNEY` n Patented May 28, 1940` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in Venetian blinds, and more particularly toblinds of the type having a tilt rail fromwhich slats are suspended by means of ladder`tapes, and means for opening and closing or tilting the slats as well as raising and lowering the same.

Heretofore blind installations have usually included a top rail called a head rail which was secured directly to the window casing or supported in brackets secured on the casing. The head rails usually supported a tilt rail and a tilting mechanism therefor as well as the controls for raising and lowering the slats. In some instances the tilting' mechanism was contained within a head rail. However, in all of the prior blinds there have been numerous disadvantages which it is the purpose of the present invention to overcome.

One of the particular disadvantages of the prior blinds was the fact that the space between the tilt and head rails was not capable of being closed to shut out the light. Still further, when the blind was raised it took up considerable space since the slats only moved as far as the tilt rail and the tilt and head rails did not move vertically relative to each other. Still other disadvantages of the prior blinds resided in the fact that the blinds were cumbersome to install and were dimcult to operate after installation. In many instances the upper ends of the blinds did not present a neat appearance or one which was capable o.' being blended aesthetically with the drapes because the operating mechanism was visible. The prior constructions were somewhat complicated since they used various combinations of gears and pulleys; these gears and pulleys could not be readily lubricated and when lubricated were liable to come in contact with and soil the window drapes.

By my present invention I have completely eliminated the head rail, or any equivalent therefor. In installing the blinds onLv two brackets are used which may be, and are, easily secured to the casing. 'I'he operating mechanism for the blind is effectivew shielded from sight and against contact with the drapes, only those parts oi the control cords which operate the mechanism being visible. The operation of the blinds are relatively easy, quiet and simple.

Still another advantage of my improved blind resides in the fact that the blind, when raised,

takes up considerably less of the open space in the window than other blinds. The blind may also be quickly and easily removed without special tools and by inexperienced persons for the purpose of cleaning. The control cords vbeing all at the same side of the window, make it necessary to approach only one side of blind to adjust the same. The mechanism .is light in weight and the working parts are reduced in number and entail numerous economies in construction, not possible in prior blinds. The construction is such that when the blind is closed, no direct light may obtain entrance, a complete closure being effected.

Still other advantages of the invention and the invention itself will become more apparent from the vfollowing description of an embodiment thereof, which description is illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blind constructed according to my invention with certain parts broken away to show the structure below, and certain parts shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a similar view in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along-the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 3 but showing the tilt rail rotated 90;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-8 of Fig. 2; f

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line l-l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5; Y

Fig. 10 is an isometric view of the tilt rail support and pulley or sheave end;

Fig. 11 is an isometric View of an end bracket for the tilt rail;

Fig. 12 isan enlarged sectional view taken on the line I2-l2 of Fig. 2 with certain parts broken away;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line |3-I3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an inside elevational view of for the end of the tilt rail;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a blank used to form a clip for the tilt cord.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of the cord operating end of the rail showing the interior structure in dotted lines and with certain parts broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a tilt cord ata bracket taching clip showing a fragment of a cord; and

as well as a bearing for the tilt rail trunnion.,

while the other merely provides a bearing for the trunnion on the other end of the tilt rail. One end of the rail is relatively plain and the bearing in the bracket is so formed that the trunnion may be disengaged from the bearing by lifting the rail upward. The other end oi. the rail v provides a tilt mechanism which is attached directly to the rail. The rail is hollow, being preferably formed of sheet metal, and the raising and lowering cords are trained through a cord lock and guide secured to the bracket and extending intothe hollow rail longitudinally and thence downward in back of ladder tapes which are secured to the tilt rail, and which cords are connected to a bottom rail in the usual manner. 'I'he cord lock serves a dual function since in combination with the bracket 'it serves also to lock the parts in operative position.

More specifically, the one end bracket comprises a sheet metal member having an end wall I which is formed to provide an inwardly extending boss 2. 'I'he boss is apertured to provide an upwardly extending Z-shaped slot Il of irregular shape, the 1bottom of which terminates co-axiaily with the center of the boss and provides a bearing for a trunnion 4 of the tilt rail. The bracket has flanges 5 and t extending at right angles from the end wall and running perpendicularly and horizontally respectively on the back and top sides of the bracket. 'I'he fianges and side wall of the bracket are provided with a-plurality of apertures through which screws may extend to hold the bracket -on the window casing, thus making it possible to secure the bracket to the window in substantially any desired position, which position may vary withdiiferent types of windows. The forward face of the bracket is provided with a laterally extending ange or apron 1, as best shown in Fig. 14, curved to permit rotation of the tilt rail in back thereof and to provide a pleasing contour. The Z-shaped slot makes it necessary when removing the trunnion 4 of the tilt rail from engagement therewith to raise the same vertically, then laterally, and nally vertically, thus guarding against accidental displacement of the trunnion from the slot.

The rail is hollow, being formed by a sheet metal channel 8, the upper side of which is closed by a strip 9. 'I'he channel and closure strip being the subject matter of Patent No. 2,100,648 to Lawson and Lindquist of November 310, 1937. The trunnion 4 for the tilt rail is carried by a sheet metal slide Ill shaped to conform to the interior surface of the rail. As best shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the bottom center portion of the slide is deformed to provide upwardly extending spaced portions Il and anintermediatedownwardly extending portion Il' which securely embraces the trunnion 4. The trunnion may be spot welded to be held in place, but I have found that the resiliency of the metal is sum'cient to retain the same in its proper position. 'I'he slid I0 is telescopically disposed within the channel which permits a longitudinalextension of the rail resulting in a substantial lengthening thereof to compensate for slight variation of length due to manufacturing tolerances or to. permit the rail to be lengthened to adapt it to various window widths. When the slide is once adjusted tothe desired position. a

screw which extends through 'an aperture in the tilt rail and a slot l2 in the slide may be locked in place by tightening the screw and its nut il,

(note particularly Fig. 12) holding the slide in a fixed position.

The'bracket for the other end of the rail which also houses -the tilting mechanism hereinafter called the brackethousing, has the same general contour as that'ofthe bracket Just described, it

being provided with an end wall 2|, and top and back flanges and 2l respectively, all of the walls being apertured in the manner previously described and for the same purpose. 'I'he trunnion bearing 22 is, in this instance. a plain bear'- ing and of substantially larger diameter for supporting the trunnion 24 of the'tilt rail. The apron 21 of the bracket housing, instead of being the same width as the flanges 25 and 2l as in the other bracket, is wider for a purpose hereinafter described, and instead of extending downward to the bottom of the bracket. terminates at its lower edge approximately midway of the bracket in a flat plane surface 3l for supporting the cord.lock mechanism. The bottom A edge of the bracket is provided with afrelatively narrow flanges! and the forward bottom corner of the bracket extending from the bottom toward upwardly at 34 and connects with an extension.

35 of arcuate cross section, the end of which has an arm 35 Figs. 5 and 6 extending inwardly to the center of the rail and carries the trunnion 24 disposed in axial alignment with the center of' the rail. The portions 34, 35 and 36 may be considered as a crank arm with the part 35 offset to provide a substantial clearance space into the center of the rail and is relatively broad to provide sufllcient strength and to close certain open spaces lbetween-the rail and bracket which would otherwise, if open, allow light to pass, as will hereinafter more clearly appear.

The mechanism for revolving the crank arm for the rail in general may be considered as a sheave secured coaxially with the trunnion over which and to which the tilt cord is secured. The specic construction may be varied but the type shown is of the preferred type and comprises a flat circular disk 31 disposed coaxially about l the trunnion 24 and juxtaposed to the arm 35, and a second disk 38 of substantially the same diameter but formed at its periphery with an oil.'- set ange` 39. The two disks are secured to the arm 36 by a tongue 40 which is struck from the arm 36 and extends through thev two disks, being bent over` against the outer face of the disk 33. Obviously these parts could be held together in other manners such as by a screw or by spot welding, if such should be desired. It will thus be seen that in the assembled position the disks comprise a sheave having a groove in its periphery formed by the channeled member 39.

The sheave or pulley provides means whereby the tilt rail may be rotated about its trunnions in the brackets by a cord 4I. The cord 4I is dis-v 75 posed in the groove of the sheave'and held in -place by a clip 42. The clip comprises a sheet securely in position; the shoulders on one ofthe lugs engage the wall at the bottom of the channel and limit the distance that the clip may be pulled into the channel, thus causing the clip to protrude from the channel (Figs. 5 and 6). 'Ihe cord is thus held on the pulley lfixed relative thereto and cannot slide around the pulley since the clip grips the cord sufiiciently tight to prevent sliding. 'Ihe ends of the cord extend out of the bracket through the guide 23 (Figs. 6 and il). The clip also provides a stop for limiting the rotation of the sheave in that it extends far enough beyond the periphery of the pulley to engage the bottom ange 32 (Fig. 4) of the bracket when the tilt rail is tilted to the position shown, and also engages the boss 41 at the juncture of -the upper flange and apron when the sheave is rotated 180 in the other direction.

'Ihe body 33 when once adjusted to its desired position within the rail, is secured in place by bolts 48 which extend through apertures in the rail and slots 43 in the body 33, nuts being provided on the interior of the body. The tolerance between the sheave and the guide 23 of the bracket, is such that the cord cannot accidentally escape from the sheave.

The sheave and trunnion are held in position in the bracket and bearing by the raising cord lock and guide mechanism. The apron 21 terminates in a flat plane surface 3| for supporting the cord guide which comprises a channel member of U-shaped cross section (Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive) having side walls 50 and a back or bottom wall 5|. The guide roller 52 and cord lock 53 are supported between the side walls ol.' the guide. The lower extremity of the channel member has an upwardly extending flat flange 55 shaped to conform to the surface 3| of the bracket. A lug 55 is provided on the ange and extends into an aperture 58 in the surface 3|. The flange is secured to the surface 3| by a screw 51 which extends through the flange into a threaded aperture 58 in the portion 3l. The screw and the lug 55 thus hold the member securely and the guide body extend. into the interior of the bracket with the sheave 36-38 interposed between the wall of the bracket and the guide. Friction means is provided on the guide for engagement with the sheave and comprises a spring arm 50, Fig. 18, which has one end riveted to one side wall of the guide as shown at 60 (Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 8) and extends along the side of the guide toward the sheave and between the guide and the sheave, the free end 8| is formed with a boss 62 which bears frictionally against the disk 31 of the sheave at all times. The disk 31 may also be provided with detents 83 into which the boss 62 may drop upon a predetermined amount of rotation of the sheave.

It will thus be seen that the cord lock and guide with its spring brake is in frictional engagement with the sheave at all times friction-v ally resisting the turning movement of sheave and in certain positions forming a frictional lock with the sheave to hold it against movement. There are two detents 63 disposed in the positions siiown in Fig. 3, apart. This permits the slats to be adjusted at any desired angle frictionally holding the same at the angle and also provides an additional braking or holding action at the two positions where .the strain upon the tilt rail is the greatest due to the weight of the slats lon one of the ladder tapes winch tend l to rotate the tilt rail.

Theraising and lowering cords extend through the guide-lock iust mentioned and into the interior of the rail. Thebottom extremity of the guide is ilared or flanged 'and the cords extend D upwardly along the bottom of the channel between the cord lock and the channel and over the pulley or roller l2. The cord lock comprises a v roller loosely iournalled in arcuate slots 1l in v the opposite channel sides, the roller having l5 flanges 12 on its ends for retaining the same inplace and being provided with herringbone grooves on its surface.

Ihe roller 52 is rotatably iournalled in the channel above the cord lock. As previously I stated, the guide extends into the interior oi' `the bracket with its open side ltoward the tilt rail. 'I'he arm 35 `lust clears the end of the guide when the sheave is rotated. 'Ihe cords then extend over the top of the roller 52 and into the rail 8. The rail 8 has openings 1| formed in its bottom center directly in back of the ladder tapes 13; two such openings are provided, each disposed between the point of connection of the ladder tape webs. In most instances, it will be found, except in the case of a larger window, that two ladder tapes will be suflicient. In either event only two raising cords are usually needed.

Secured to the bottom of the rail adjacent to the openings 1|, are brackets 1l which support rollers 15 between upwardly extending ears 18. The raising cords extend from the guide into the tilt rail, one of them. being trained over the roller 15 in th'e rst bracket (Figs. l and 16) and extends downward through the aperture 1| between the webs of the ladder tape, through slots in the slats and is secured to the bottom slat or rail. The other cord extends over the roller 15 in the first bracket and continues through the rail to the second bracket and roller over which it is trained in a like manner, thence downward through the opening in the bottom of the rail and is secured to the bottom rail. The apertures 1| may be formed by upsettingthe bottom of the channel to provide a flared guide preventing abrasion of the cords by sharp metal. The sides 16 of each bracket extend upwardly beyond the roller 15 to form a guide channel for the cords, which channel is substantially closed by the closure member 8 as best shown in Fig. 16, preventing accidental escape of the cords from over the rollers. The cords may be easily trained over the rollers, since the slide is readily remov- V able as disclosed in the aforementioned patent.

The operation of the tilt mechanism has been described. 'I'he raising and lowering cords, however, operate in a manner well known, except, of course, that the cords extend into the hollow rail. The crank arm 35 provides ample clearance for the cords and guide, and the cords thus operate readily without fouling upon any of the parts. c

The part 35 being relatively wide prevents light from leaking through the open space between the apron 3| and the edge of the rail as best 10 shown in Fig. 4, where the open space below the apron 21 exists. 4.

It will thus be seen that I have'provided an improved blind which is simple and economical in construction, easy and positive in its operan tion. and wherein the installation .lends itself to a harmonious blending with its surroundings.

It will also be obvious that certain changes and departures from the structure can be made, but without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tilting mechanism for a Venetian blind tilt rail including a bracket adapted for attachmenttoawindowcasing.abearinginsaid bracket and a trunnion rotatable in said bearing. a connector for connecting said trunnion to said tilt rail and a sheave operably connected to said trunnion, means to engage said sheave to hold said tilting mechanism in operative position in said bracket.

2. A tilting mechanism for a Venetian blind tilt rail including a bracket adapted for attachment to a window casing, a bearing in said bracket and a trunnion rotatable in said bearing. a connector for connecting said trunnion to said tilt rail and a sheave operably connected to said trunnion, friction means to engage said sheave to hold said tilting mechanism in operative position in said bracket, said sheave being formed with detents and said friction means engageable in said .detenta to hold the pulley and rail in predetermined positions.

3. A tilting mechanism for a Venetian blind having a tilt rail including a bracket adapted for attachment to a window'casing, a bearing in said bracket, a connector and` a trunnion on the tilt rail, said trunnion being rotatable in said bearing, a pulley operably connected to said trunnion and a cord for said pulley, means sup-v ported by the bracket and operable to engage -said pulley to hold said tilting mechanism in sheave to resist turning thereof and to hold the said mechanism in said bracket.

5. In a Venetian blind, a hollow tilt rail. a supporting bracket for one end of said rail and a trunnion carried by the rail and rotatably and removably journalled in said bracket, supporting and tilting means for the other end of the rail including a bracket having a bearing formed therein, a trunnion rotatably lournalled in the bracket and a connector secured to said trun nion and carrying said rail, a pulley secured to said trunnion and a cord connected to the pulley. said connector being formed to close the open space between the tilt rail and bracket against direct light.

6. In a Venetian blind. a hollow tilt rail, a supporting bracket for one end of said rail and a trunnion carried by the rail and rotatably and removably Journalled in said bracket, supporting and tilting means for the other end of the rail including a bracket having a bearing formed therein, a trunnion rotatably journallcd in the bracket and a connector secured to said trunnion and carrying said rail. a sheave secured to said trunnion and a tilt cord connected to the sheave, said connector being formed to provide a shield, said brackets being provided with aprons to cooperate with the shield of the connector to close the space between the tilt rail and the bracket against direct light.

7. A mechanism of the class described includhaving a hollow tilting rail, comprising a hollow sleeve disposed in one end of said rail, an arm on said sleeve forming a crank and carrying on its free end a trunnion, a bracket adapted to be secured to the window casing or the like having a bearing rotatably supporting said trunnion, a pulley disposed about said trunnion flxedly con- -nected to said crank, and a tilt cord looped about said pulley and secured thereto at one point on its periphery, friction means engageable with the surface of said pulley to resist turning of the pulley and to hold said trunnion in said bearing.

9. A tilting mechanism fo'r a Venetian blind tilt rail comprising supporting means for one end of the rail including a bracket adapted to be secured to one side of a window, means carried by the tilt rail and engageable with the bracket comprising a telescopical member moveably secured in the end of the rail and having an arm extending therefrom, a trunnion carried by said arm and a bearing in said bracket adapted to rotatably receive said trunnion, a sheave secured to said arm concentric to the trunnion, cord means secured to and carried by the sheave for rotating the saine.

10. A mechanism of the class described, a Venetian blind tilt rail, means for tilting and supporting the tilt rail including abracket adapted for attachment to a window casing and formed to provide a bearing therein, connecting means on the tilt rail co-operating with the bearing in the bracket and the tilt rail comprising a connector and a trunnion, a sheave concentrically disposed on the trunnion and a tilt cord trained over the sheave and secured to the sheave, said bracket being formed with a forwardly extending apron to provide clearance for the sheave and guide means integral with the bracket between the apron and the bottom thereof to receive and guide the cord.

GO'I'I'FRID C. LAWSON. 

